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Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. DDF seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality. Visit our Contact Us Page

Here is information about stomach cancer, risk factors, symptoms, screening, early detection, diagnosis, staging, choosing a treatment facility, treatments, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, molecular testing, genetics, clinical trials, and what's new in the diagnosis and treatment of stomach cancer. If you have any questions, contact our office at (855) 475-1200 or email us at Patient.Resource@DebbiesDream.org. All services are free and we would be happy to help!

Stomach Cancer Brochure

Debbie's Dream Foundation worked in conjunction with Lilly Oncology to develop an informative stomach cancer brochure for patients, families and caregivers. Simply click below to download the brochure or contact our office to have a copy mailed to you.

Virtually all stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, meaning that the cancer begins in the glandular tissue that lines the inside of the stomach. Adenocarcinomas are further classified as either intestinal or diffuse. This is important because the classification influences the treatment and outcome of the ...»Read complete content

Risk Factors

The primary risk factors for stomach cancer are: • Infection with a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) which is associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as with chronic dyspepsia (indigestion) . The bacteria live in the lining of the stomach and cause ...»Read complete content

Genetics & Hereditary Conditions

Genetic mutations play a role in the development of all cancers. Most cancers are caused by gene changes that happen during a person's lifetime, but a person's cancer risk can be higher if they have one of these rare inherited mutations. Doctors can test for certain kinds of gene ...»Read complete content

Symptoms, Screening and Early Detection

In parts of Asia where stomach cancer is highly prevalent, aggressive screening programs have had some success in detecting early cancers and improving the outcomes. In the United States there are no effective screening methods and no established programs for primary prevention ...»Read complete content

Newly Diagnosed: First Steps to Take

People can be overwhelmed upon hearing the doctor tell you that you have cancer. To help you answer common questions about cancer and feel more in control of your health, refer to this list below of information and resources. It can help you learn about your diagnosis, find ...»Read complete content

Talking To Children About Cancer

Talking about cancer does not have to be traumatic. If anything, NOT talking about it is ultimately more traumatic for a child. Not communicating about cancer allows misunderstandings and fears about the illness to grow. ...»Read complete content

Your First Doctor Visit & Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are PREPared for your doctor visits, you will accomplish a lot more and have more of your questions answered. Here are some tips to help you with your first doctor visit.Make sure to bring the following with you:»Read complete content

Diagnosis & Staging

The most common procedure used to diagnose gastric cancer is upper endoscopy. Using this method, a doctor can visualize the gastrointestinal tract, obtain a biopsy of the tumor, and diagnose up to 95% of gastric cancer cases. This is often combined with ultrasound ... »Read complete content

Choosing A Treatment Facility

Stomach cancer is a very serious disease. Its diagnosis, staging, and treatment are all complex and require an experienced, skilled team of medical professionals working together. This team includes surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, oncologists, radiation therapists,... » Read complete content

The treatment for stomach cancer depends on its stage--the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the patient's overall health. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy (possibly before and after surgery), targeted treatments, and radiation or any ...»Read complete content

Side Effect Management During Treatment

Cancer and the treatments for cancer can cause many side effects that all patients and caregivers should be aware of. Speak with your medical professionals about the side effects that are affecting you so your symptoms can be managed and treated. It is always a good idea to keep track of your side effects. One good way to do that is to keep a journal of how you are feeling. Below is a list of the common side effects of cancer treatment. ...»Read complete content

What's New In the Diagnosis and Treatment of Stomach Cancer?

There have not been any major advances for patients with stomach cancer in recent years, but there are a number of important areas of research that have shown promise and progress in improving the outlook for patients with this disease. Advances have been made in ... »Read complete content

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are the primary means by which new cancer treatments are developed, tested, and approved for use. Most stomach (gastric) cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, so treatment is difficult and complex. Therefore, clinical trials for new drugs are essential. ...»Read complete content

Molecular Testing - Why Is This Important?

Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that targets a cancer's specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. Targeted therapy includes drugs that are aimed at specific genes or proteins that are only found in cancer cells ... »Read complete content

The Role of Cancer Genome Profiling In The Care of Stomach Cancer

For cancer patients, caregivers and providers, there is good reason for enthusiasm about the potential research into the cancer genome to help guide more effective cancer therapy. In stomach cancer, there is already a role for specific testing in the care of patients with advanced or Stage 4 disease. There are ...»Read complete content

Stomach Cancer Nutrition

When you are diagnosed with cancer, nutrition becomes even more important. Good nutrition can help you feel better, reduce the risk of infection, keep your strength up, and help you heal faster. Maintaining a healthy body weight and your body's store of nutrients can help ... »Read complete content

Survival Rates

Survival rates are based on the cancer stages and generally given as a percentage of the patients who are able to survive 5 years or more after they are diagnosed. Patients should be advised that the survival rates are just a general guideline based upon relative survival, ...»Read complete content

Psychosocial Care for Cancer Patients

Questions and Answers

1)What are the basic psychosocial needs of cancer patients?

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer is a major life stress for the cancer patient and their families. Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, ...

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer ("DDF") is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or other health care services. Debbie's Dream Foundation staff cannot answer medical questions or provide treatment recommendations.DDF may provide information to you about physicians, products, services, clinical trials or treatments related to stomach cancer, but DDF does not recommend nor endorse any particular health care resource. You are advised to direct all medical questions to your health care professionals and to freely seek other opinions. In addition, please note that personal information you provide to DDF during telephone and/or email communications are kept highly confidential and it may be stored and used to help DDF achieve its mission of assisting patients with, and finding cures and treatments for, stomach cancer. Stored constituent information may be used to inform DDF programs and activities. Information also may be provided in aggregate or limited formats to third parties to guide future stomach cancer research and treatment efforts. DDF will not provide personal directly identifying information (such as your name or contact information) to such third parties without your prior written consent unless required or permitted by law to do so.